Areas of Training/Experience

Forensic Document Examination

• Handwriting Identification and Discrimination
• Signature Comparison
• Techniques for Distinguishing Forged Signatures
• Disguised and Anonymous Handwriting
• On-Site Inspection and Examinations
• Altered Numbers and Documents
• Suspect and Questioned Documents
• Notary Public Validation
• Erased and Whiteout Writing Detection
• Indented Writing Restoration
• Identity Theft Issues
• Medical and Insurance Fraud
• Mortgage Fraud
• Ultraviolet and Infrared Examination
• Typewriter Identification
• Latent Fingerprint Detection and Recording
• Thin Layer Chromatography Ink Analysis and Comparison
• Expert Testimony
• Court and Laboratory Procedures
• Ethics in Business and the Legal System
• Public Presentations and Training Programs

IT / Network Security

• Information Technology
• Network Security
• Computer Forensics & Digital Evidence
• Computer Configuration & Troubleshooting
• Email Services
• Windows and Macintosh OS
• Wired and Wireless Network Design & Maintenance
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Firewall Configuration
• Windows Server
• Programming Logic / VBScript
• UNIX / Linux
• IP Addressing and Subnets
• Technical Writing
• Cisco Routers & Switches
• Wireshark Packet Analysis
• VMWare & Virtual Servers
• Encryption
• Steganography

Apprenticeship

• Apprenticeship training under Don Lehew, ABFE; Accurate Forensic Lab; Jacksonville, TX (2003-2005)

Education and Certifications

• American Academy of Applied Forensics; Central Piedmont Community College; Huntersville, NC (2010); Accreditation by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) *
  • Certified in Computer Forensics and Digital Evidence
• CompTIA Security+ certification (2/19/2010)
• ECPI College of Technology; School of Computer and Information Science; Charlotte, NC (2009); Accreditation by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) *
  • Associate of Applied Science Degree in Computer and Information Science / Network Security
  • Dean’s List; Summa Cum Laude (4.0/4.0 GPA)
  • Member of Alpha Beta Kappa National Honor Society
  • Member of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society
• FBI Citizens’ Academy; Charlotte, NC (2008)
  • International and domestic terrorism
  • White collar crime; including identity theft, financial institution fraud, healthcare fraud, and money laundering
  • Critical infrastructure protection matters
  • Violent crimes; including bank robbery, crimes against children, fugitives, evidence recovery, and hostage rescue
  • Electronic surveillance
  • Polygraph and Profiling
  • Firearms safety, SWAT, and deadly force policy
  • Employment, recruitment, and partnerships
  • Freedom of Information and Privacy Act
• School of Forensic Document Examination; Dallas, TX (2005)
  • Certified in Forensic Document Examination
• American Institute of Applied Science; Youngsville, NC; (2005); Accreditation by Distance Education and Training Council (DETC)*
  • Certified in Questioned Document Examination
• New York Institute of Photography; New York City, NY (1994); Accreditation by Distance Education and Training Council (DETC)*
  • Certified in Photography
• Triangle Technical Institute of Technology; Pittsburgh, PA (1985); Accreditation by Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT)*
  • Associate in Specialized Technology Degree in Architecture w/ CADD

* Recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the U.S. Department of Education

Experience

• Examination of thousands of signatures in hundreds of cases worldwide
• Forensic Document Laboratory, Inc; Charlotte, NC; President and Chief Examiner (2007-present)
• Mecklenburg County Bar, 26th Judiciary District; Charlotte, NC; IT / Network Support (2010-present)
• Forensic Analysis & Engineering Corporation; Raleigh, NC; Expert Consultant (2008-2009)
• Forensics 101, Inc; Charlotte, NC
  • Instructor; Forensic Document Examination (2007-2009)
• Handwriting Services International; Charlotte, NC; Forensic Document Examiner and Director of Southeast Division (2004-2007)
• Starks Training Institute Inc.; Charlotte, NC
  • Assistant to President (2003-2008)
  • Operations (2009-2010)
  • Research, Media & Technical Support
  • North Carolina CCW Certification Course; Assistant Firearms Instructor and Range Officer to both private and government clients; ongoing bi-weekly
  • Safety Awareness Classes; Guest Presenter, “Signature Self Defense”; ongoing monthly

Proficiency

• Annually participated successfully in the Handwriting Identification proficiency-testing program of the Forensic Expertise Profiling Laboratory at Latrobe University in Australia. Results available upon request. (2006-2008)

Laboratory Equipment

Photographic Equipment:

• Nikon D80 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera w/ 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 Lens ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens
• Minolta Maxxum 5 SLR camera w/ 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Macro lens
• Minolta Dimage Z1 3.2MP Digital camera
• Minolta X370 SLR camera w/ 50mm f/3.5 Macro lens
• Testrite CS-2 copystand and lights
• Infrared film developing facility

Microscopes:

• Meiji EMZ-5TR Trinocular 7-45X Stereo zoom microscope & boom stand w/ fluorescent light ring
• 5MP digital microscope / camera image system
• Bushnell 10X Stereo microscope
• MiScope MiSC-IR infra red 40-140X digital microscope / camera
• MiScope MiSC-UV ultra violet 40-140X digital microscope / camera

Analysis:

• Sirchie FX8B Forensic Optical Comparator
• Sirchie Indented Writing Restoration Kit
• Sirchie Erased Writing Detection Kit
• Sirchie Master Questioned Document Kit

Lighting:

• Porta-Trace 10”x12” light table
• Tiger Twin Dual (SW/LW) Wavelength UV light
• Inova X5 UV light
• 150W Variable Intensity Halogen Light Source w/ Fiber Optic O-Ring Light, Fiber Optic Single & Dual Gooseneck Lights

Computer:

• Dell XPS410 desktop computer
• Apple iMac desktop computer
• Hewlett Packard 2140 netbook computer
• Hewlett Packard Photosmart Premium printer/scanner/copier
• Wiebetech Drive eRazer
• Wiebetech USB Writeblocker

Software:

• Adobe Photoshop CS4 software
• dtSearch Desktop w/ Spider
• Tenable Nessus

Misc:

• Ninhydrin-HT pump spray
• Fummette Iodine Fuming
• Variety of measuring devices, templates, filters, reticles and magnifiers

Professional Memberships

• North Carolina InfraGard Chapter of the FBI’s National InfraGard Organization
• Carolina IT Professional Group
• NC4 CyberCop
• FBI Charlotte Citizens' Academy Alumni Association
  • Assistant to the President (2008 – 2009)
• National Correctional Peace Officers Foundation
• NRA Business Affiliation
• North Carolina Sheriff’s Association
• North Carolina Association of Private Investigators
• I choose to not join any document examiner associations that are fee-based memberships or exclusive “invitation only” and “grandfathering” organizations

Conferences

• National Correctional Peace Officers Foundation – Project 2000 XIII; Tampa, FLA.; “Gangs in Prisons”; training by Pat Bjorklund; CPO Foundation (6/15/02)
• School of Forensic Document Examination Conference; Dallas, TX; training by Don Lehew, Curt Baggett, William & Katherine Koppenhaver (10/15-17/04)
• Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic Scientists; Pittsburgh, PA; “Questioned Documents Workshop”; training by Jeffrey Bell, Claudine Riggio, and Richard Vorder Bruegge (Image Analysis Unit, FBI Laboratory, Quantico) (5/18/05)
• School of Forensic Document Examination Conference; Dallas, TX; training by Don Lehew, Reed Hayes, Curt Baggett, Michelle Dresbold, William & Katherine Koppenhaver, John Dorie, John McGuire (10/14-16/05)
• The 2007 Techno Forensics Conference*; Gaithersburg, MD; hosted by the Institute of Computer Forensics Professionals (ICFP), the University of Fairfax, Maryland InfraGard and the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) (10/29-31/07)
• North Carolina InfraGard Chapter Conference; Microsoft Greater Southeast District; Charlotte, NC; training by Dan Starks (Starks Training Institute, Inc) and Jack Wiles (The Training Company) (11/14/07)
• 2008 GovSec Conference*; Washington, DC; New York City Metro InfraGard Members Alliance in cooperation with The Washington Capitol Alliance, 105 Media, Government Information Group & the Walter E. Washington Convention Center (4/24/08)
• North Carolina InfraGard Chapter Conference; Microsoft Greater Southeast District; Charlotte, NC; training by FBI Charlotte Field Intelligence Group (FIG) and Dr. Thomas J. Holt (Assistant Professor, Dept of Criminal Justice, UNCC) (5/21/08)
• The 2008 Techno Security Conference*; Myrtle Beach, SC; in association with 1st Annual AccessData Users’ Conference & Hacker Halted USA 2008 Conference (5/29-6/4/08)
• North Carolina InfraGard Chapter Conference; Microsoft Greater Southeast District; Charlotte, NC; training by John Stengal (JStengal Consulting, LLC) and Alan Clegg (Internet Systems Consortium) (7/16/08)
• The 2008 Techno Forensics Conference*; Gaithersburg, MD; hosted by the University of Fairfax, Maryland InfraGard and the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) (10/27-29/08)
• The 2009 Techno Security Conference*; Myrtle Beach, SC; in association with 2nd Annual AccessData Users’ Conference (5/31-6/3/09)
• North Carolina InfraGard Chapter Conference; Microsoft Greater Southeast District; Charlotte, NC; training by Jennifer Jabbusch (Carolina Advanced Digital, Inc.) and Jack Wiles (The Training Company) (9/16/09)
• The 2009 Techno Forensics and Digital Investigations Conference*; Gaithersburg, MD; hosted by Wetstone Technologies, Inc (in association with Digital Forensic Investigator News) and the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) (10/26-28/09)
• The 2010 Techno Security and Digital Investigations Conference*; Myrtle Beach, SC; in association with Digital Forensic Investigator News (6/6-6/9/10)

  * Full training and speaker itinerary available upon request

Presentations

• “Signature Self Defense”; Starks Training Institute Inc. in association with CPI Security & YMCA; Charlotte, NC; ongoing monthly (2003 – present)
• “The Making of a Forgery”; HSI’s Forensic Document Examiners Conference; Dallas, TX (10/17/04)
• “Forgery and Protecting Your ID”; Rotary Club of Southpark; Charlotte, NC (2/16/05)
• “Forgery and Protecting Your ID”; Monroe Rotary Club; Monroe, NC (2/24/05)
• “Forgery and Your Signature”; Union West Rotary Club; Indian Trail, NC (3/24/05)
• “Forgery and Your Signature”; Rotary Club of North Mecklenburg; Cornelius, NC (3/30/05)
• “ID Theft and Your Signature”; Credit Professionals International; Charlotte, NC (3/31/05)
• “Forgeries and Identity Theft”; Gastonia East Rotary Club; Gastonia, NC (4/25/05)
• “Forgeries and Identity Theft”; Charlotte North Rotary Club; Charlotte, NC (5/23/05)
• “Forgeries and Identity Theft”; Gastonia Kiwanis Club; Gastonia, NC (6/7/05)
• “The Making of a Forgery”; Credit Professionals International North Carolina State Conference; Charlotte, NC (9/17/05)
• “Case Study”; HSI’s Forensic Document Examiners Conference; Dallas, TX (10/14/05)
• “Photoshop and Questioned Document Examination & Analysis”; HSI’s Forensic Document Examiners Conference; Dallas, TX (10/16/05)
• “Forgery Proof Your Signature”; Top of the Week Rotary Club; Charlotte, NC (3/20/06)
• “Medical and Prescription Fraud”; North Carolina Hospital Volunteers State Conference; Greensboro, NC; presented in conjunction with Dan Stark’s “Safety Awareness” workshop (9/12/06)
• “The Making of a Forgery: Your Signature and ID Theft”; North Carolina Paralegal Association’s 22nd Mid-Year Seminar & CLA/CP Review Course State Conference; Cary, NC (9/16/06)
• “Forensics 101 Program and Document Analysis”; Union County School’s Teacher Conference; Professional Development Center; Monroe, NC (8/21/07)
• “How to Spot Forged Documents”; Senior Choices Summit; Shepherds Center of Charlotte; hosted by Pritchard Memorial Baptist Church; Charlotte, NC (11/13/07)
• “You Are What You Write”; Just For Teens Program; Main Monroe Library; Monroe, NC (11/15/07)
• “ID Theft Awareness”; Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools; Butler High School; Matthews, NC (5/16/08)
• “Senior Scams”; National Family Empowerment Conference / Family Fest 2008; Historic Grady Cole Center; Charlotte, NC (9/19/08)
• “ID Theft and Your Signature”; FBI Charlotte Citizens' Academy Alumni Association; Charlotte, NC (10/15/08)
• “Protect Yourself From ID Theft & Forgery”; Charlotte North Rotary Club; Charlotte, NC (2/9/09)

Library

• “Questioned Documents Second Edition” by Albert S. Osborn
• “Handwriting Identification: Facts and Fundamentals” by Roy A. Huber and A. M. Headrick
• “Forensic Handwriting Identification: Fundamental Concepts and Principles” by Ron Morris
• “Disputed Handwriting” by Jerome B. Lavay
• “Writing and Defending Your Expert Report” by Steven Babitsky, Esq. & James J. Mangraviti, Jr., Esq.
• “How to Excel During Depositions” by Steven Babitsky, Esq. & James J. Mangraviti, Jr., Esq.
• “Cross-Examination: The Comprehensive Guide For Experts” by Steven Babitsky, Esq. & James J. Mangraviti, Jr., Esq.
• “How to Become a Dangerous Expert Witness” by Steven Babitsky, Esq. & James J. Mangraviti, Jr., Esq.
• “Forensic Document Examination: Principles and Practice” by Katherine Koppenhaver
• “The Business of Document Examination Second Edition” by Katherine Koppenhaver
• “Attorney’s Guide to Document Examination” by Katherine Koppenhaver
• “How to Qualify as an Expert Witness” by Katherine Koppenhaver
• “Questions for Document Examiners for Court and Deposition” by Katherine Koppenhaver
• “The Expert Witness Marketing Book” by Rosalie Hamilton
• Issues of “Forensic Magazine” by various contributors
• “Barron’s Law Dictionary” by Steven H. Gifis
• “The Physician’s Desk Reference Pocket Guide to Prescription Drugs: 7th Edition” by Thompson PDR
• “Criminal Justice” by Dennis Hoffman
• “Techno Security’s Guide to E-Discovery and Digital Forensics” by Jack Wiles
• “Techno Security’s Guide to Managing Risks” by Jack Wiles
• “Techno Security’s Guide to Securing SCADA” by Jack Wiles
• “Essential Computer Security” by Tony Bradley
• “Cyber Crime Investigations” by Anthony Reyes
• “Aggressive Network Self-Defense” by Neil R. Wyler
• “Black Hat Physical Device Security” by Drew Miller
• and numerous books, textbooks, periodicals, and publications pertaining to forensics and computer security

Publications

• “The Tao of Signature Self Defense”; Article for “CPI Education Manual”, published nationally (2010)
• “The All Points Bulletin”; Editor-in-Chief; FBI Charlotte Citizens’ Academy Alumni Association newsletter; published monthly; Charlotte, NC (2008)
• “The Exemplar”; Editor-in-Chief & Contributor; Handwriting Services International corporate newsletter for Forensic Document Examiners; published quarterly; Dallas, TX (2005-2007)
  • Articles written for The Exemplar
    • Case File (1/06)
    • Don’t Be A Victim (3/06)
    • Need Records in a Snap? (6/06)
    • Check Washing Experiment (9/06)
• “Protect Your Identity: Make Your Signature Forgery Proof”; co-authored with Taylor Morgan; Handwriting University newsletter (4/19/05)
• “Protect Your Signature”; Article for “World Wide Wisdom”; Resource website www.worldwidewisdom.net (7/00)
• “Science of Handwriting”; Article for “Handwriting Explore” (5/00)
• “Who Are You Dating?”; Article for “Metrolina Singles Magazine” (11/99)
• “Handwriting and Health”; Article for “Whole Health News” (10/99)

Media

• “Handwriting Analysis of Eliza Baker”; WBTV TV3 News, Charlotte, NC; Interview regarding the Zahra Baker case (11/3/10)
• “Handwriting Analysis of Eliza Baker”; WFMY TV2 News, Greensboro, NC; Interview regarding the Zahra Baker case (11/3/10)
• “Analyze This” Special Report; WFMY TV2 News, Greensboro, NC; Interview (Recorded 10/29/10, Airdate 11/4/10)
• “Caplis and Silverman Show”; 630 AM KHOW Radio Station; Denver, CO; Interview regarding JonBenet Ramsey ransom note. (9/14/10)
• “Swift Justice with Nancy Grace”; CBS, National Syndication; Forensic Handwriting Expert; numerous episodes (2010-present)
• “ID Theft and Signatures” News Story; WBTV-News Channel 3 (5/16/08)
• “ID Theft and Signatures” News Story; News 14 Carolina (5/16/08)
• “National Geographic Extreme Explorer” magazine; research interview for article written by Natasha T. Metzler (5/5/08)
• “National Law Journal; Handwriting analysis used to aid jury selection”; research interview for article written by Vesna Jaksic (2/15/07)
• “Aging with Attitude”; Time Warner Cable TV Channel 21; Topic: Forgery and Wills (Recorded 7/10/06, Airdate 10/14/06)
• “The Leader” newspaper; Bio Article (9/00)
• “Independent Tribune” newspaper; Bio Article (4/99)

Partial Client Listing

• U.S. Department of Justice; Federal Bureau of Prisons (Numerous cases)
• U.S. Government; Federal Public Defenders Office
• North Carolina Paralegal Association; Raleigh, NC
• Yank Barry & Global Village Market Holdings, Ltd; Nassau, Bahamas
• Aramark CTS; Charlotte, NC
• Sierra Mortgage and Realty; Charlotte, NC
• Grier, Furr & Crisp, PA; Charlotte, NC
• Homewatch Caregivers; Charlotte, NC
• Aylward Family Law; Charlotte, NC
• Olsen Law Offices; Charlotte, NC (Numerous cases)
• Dowless Law Firm, PC; Concord, NC
• Gold Medallion Homes, LLC; Monroe, NC
• The Britt Law Group, PC; Phoenix, AZ
• Lewis & Roberts, PA; Raleigh, NC
• Modica & Dowden, LC; Baton Rouge, LA
• Collins & Maready, PA; Jacksonville, NC
• Lewis & Daggett; Winston Salem, NC
• Stokes, Lazarus & Carmichael, LLP; Atlanta, GA
• Shuford, Hunter & Brown, PA; Charlotte, NC (Numerous cases)
• Sherrill & Emehel, PA; Charlotte, NC
• Law Offices of Java O Warren, Atty; Charlotte, NC
• Baldwin & Carpenter, PC; Denver, CO
• Lindsey & Schrimsher, PA; Charlotte, NC
• Marsh Law Firm; Charlotte, NC (Numerous cases)
• Atkins Law Offices, PA; Gastonia, NC
• Dan Starks & Starks Training Institute, Inc; Charlotte, NC (Numerous cases)
• Graphics by Design; Gastonia, NC
• Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.; Springfield, MA
• Smith Consultants; Tampa, FLA
• Skoler, Abbott & Presser, PC; Springfield, MA (Numerous cases)
• Credit Professionals International; Charlotte, NC
• North Carolina Hospital Volunteers; Greensboro, NC
• Buckley & Zopf; Claremont, NH
• Sullivan County Attorney; Newport, NH
• Flowers, Martin, Moore & Ditz, PA; Shelby, NC (Numerous cases)
• Weaver Bennett & Bland, PA; Mathews, NC (Numerous cases)
• Pikeville Medical Center; Pikeville, KY
• Precision Components; Mint Hill, NC
• House Com, Inc.; Charlotte, NC
• Gibson, Rigby & Co.; Nassau, Bahamas
• SoldUSA Auctions, Inc.; Matthews, NC (Numerous cases)
• Craige Brawley Liipfert & Walker, LLP; Winston-Salem, NC
• Khot & Associates, PLLC; Raleigh, NC
• Compass Group USA, Inc.; Charlotte, NC
• C L Collins Bonding, Inc.; Raleigh, NC
• Kennedy Covington, Attorneys at Law; Charlotte, NC
• Patten, Wornom, Hatten & Diamonstein, LC; Newport News, VA
• Law Offices of Travis S. Greene, PC; Tryon, NC
• Templeton & Raynor, PA; Charlotte, NC
• Love & Hutaff, PLLC; Monroe, NC
• Law Office of John T Burns; Monroe, NC (Numerous cases)
• Hartnett Law Office; Syracuse, NY
• Law Office of Angelea Norcross; Nags Head, NC
• Harr Toyota, Inc.; Worchester, MA
• Planet Suzuki; Charlotte, NC
• The Langley Law Group, LLP (A Federal Litigation Firm); Bethesda, MD
• Beaver, Holt, Sternlicht & Courie, PA; Fayetteville, NC
• Womble, Carlyle, Sandgridge & Rice; Charlotte, NC
• Davidson Fink, LLP; Rochester, NY
• Law Office of Joy Freeman-Coulbarry, PLLC; Washington, DC
• Johnson, Anselmo, Murdoch, Burke, Piper & Hochman, PA; Fort Lauderdale, FL
• Wishart, Norris, Henninger & Pittman, PA; Charlotte, NC
• CSX / South Carolina Central Railroad; Darlington, SC
• Rayburn, Cooper & Durham, PA; Charlotte, NC
• WTHZ Majic 94.1 FM; Lexington, NC
• Deaton, Biggers, & Hoza, PLLC; Shelby, NC
• Unity Residential Services; Durham, NC
• Kass, Mitek & Kass, PLLC; Washington DC
• Wang Law Office; Flushing, NY
• Walker Flanary, PA; Charlotte, NC
• Paulina Havelka, Attorney at Law; Charlotte, NC
• Craig Skinner, Attorney at Law; Denver, CO
• Richard Myles & Viper Productions; Raleigh, NC
• Bradford Scott Hancox, Attorney at Law; Fayetteville, NC (Numerous cases)
• Lucas Baker, Attorney; Concord, NC
• Danker & Danker, PR; Brentwood, TN
• Charles F Myers, PA; Phoenix, AZ
• Fosbinder & Van Kampen, PLLC; Charlotte, NC
• Green Visions, Inc.; Pittsboro, NC
• Culp, Elliott, & Carpenter, PLLC; Charlotte, NC (Numerous cases)
• Horack & Talley, Attorneys at Law; Charlotte, NC (Numerous cases)
• Conroy & Weinshenker; Concord, NC
• Baker & Slaughter, PA; Wilmington, NC
• Art Experts, Inc.; Washington, DC
• Giarmarco, Mullins, & Horton, PC; Troy, MI
• Sharonview Federal Credit Union; Fort Mill, SC
• Numerous businesses, organizations, agencies, and individuals throughout United States and abroad